Plate holder



Nov. 3, 1942. J. G. ROBINSON PLATE HOLDER Filed March 21, 1942 Patented Nov. 3, 1942 UNITED STATE PLATE HOLDER John G. Robinson, Evanston, Ill. Application March. 21, 1942, Serial No. 435,613

2 Claims.

This invention relates to plate holders and more particularly to a device for depending a plate from a wall or other surface for retention in a position for display.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device which will permit the plate or other object supported thereby to be held with its base flush against the wall or other surface from which it depends so that the object will protrude outwardly from the wall the least postact therewith. This not only improves the appearance of the plate, but also makes for maximum stability and lessens the possibility of accidental contact with and displacement of the plate from the surface on which it is hung.

Other objects are to provide a device which will firmly and securely hold the plate against a wall or other surface but which is readily adaptable for attachment to plates or like objects of varying sizes andshapes.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efficiency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangements of parts, features and constructions without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a rear plan view of a novel plate holder attached to a plate.

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof showing the holder attached to a wall or other surface.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of the upper portion of the novel plate holder and showing in dotted outline the device attached to a plate of polygonal shape, and also the extensible feature of the device to accommodate plates varying in size.

In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in the drawing the novel plate holder I is shown as comprising a wire 2 which has been bent in the form of a bail or loop, the ends 3 and 4 of which have been turned over to form hooks for receiving eyes 5 and 6 formed on each end of coiled spring I. Loosely mounted on the spring 1 is a hook or attaching member 8 com- .10 sible distance and have maximum surface con-' prising a wire bent into a U-shape and having its ends forming spaced rings 9 and I0 through which the spring I is positioned. The holder is also provided with a plurality of hooks or retaining members ll suitably spaced apart and comprising a wire bent as shown in Fig. 2 to form an enlarged hook portion l2 at the outer end and smaller rings l3 which are adapted to be placed around the wire 2. The rings I3 frictionally engage the wire 2, but are not so tightly engaged'thereto as to prevent rotation or lateral, movement of the member II on the wire 2, thus permitting sliding of the members on the wire (see Fig. 1).

In attaching a plate or similar object to a vertical or inclined supporting surface, the holder l is attached to the back of the plate by placing the spaced hooks l2 of the members H over the edge of the plate from rear, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The hooks are preferably placed substantially equidistant so that the plate is securely held thereby. The spring connecting member I permits the holder to be attached to plates of varying shapes and sizes and has surficient tension to retain the member securely to the plate. The holder and contained plate is then attached by means of the hook 8 to a surface or wall [5 by a nail, tack or other securing means l6. This is shown in Fig. 2. The holder, by reason of its novel construction, is adapted to be positioned adjacentthe periphery of the plate and to be attached to the back of the plate between the external edge or bead l1 and base I8 thereof. This construction permits the base it to lie flat or flush against the surface IE to give maximum stability and affords minimum projection of the plate away from the surface l5. Furthermore, none of the holder, with the exception of the ends I2 'of the hooks II can be seen from the front of the plate. These features enhance greatly the appearance of the plate and reduce to a minimum the possibility of accidental contact therewith or displacement of the plate. It is also apparent that the spring 1 permits attachment of the holder to plates or the like of varying sizes and shapes and also effects secure attachment thereto.

Having thus disclosed my invention,

I claim: v

1. A device for'depending a plate on a surface comprising a wire bent into the form of a loop and adapted to be positioned near the periphery of the plate whereby the base of the plate lies fiat against the surface on which it is hung, a

coiled spring connecting the ends of the wire. a

plurality of plate holding hooks on the wire adapted to engage the periphery oi the plate and means loosely mounted on the spring for attachment or the holder to the surface on which it is to depend.

2. A device for depending a plate on a surface comprising a substantially rigid loop portion adapted to encompass the plate intermediate its base and the edge of the plate, a tension spring 10 connecting the ends of the loop portion for adapting the holder to plates of diflerent sizes and shapes, a plurality of plate holding hooks having a portion frictionally encompassing the loop portion but being rotatably and laterally movable thereon, and also having a portion for engaging the periphery of the plate, and means for attachment or the holder to the surface on which it is to depend.

JOHN G. ROBINSON. 

